KITTERY — The $1.1 trillion federal spending bill approved by the House last week includes $11.5 million for facilities upgrades and the construction of two attack submarines at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

The spending bill for operating the government until just before next fall’s election steamed through the House on a 359-67 vote and was on track for a big Senate vote by week’s end.

To buy time for the Senate debate, Congress sent President Barack Obama a three-day funding bill in time to avert a scheduled shutdown at midnight. The Senate cleared that measure by an 86-14 vote and Obama quickly signed it into law.

U.S. Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins of Maine and Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire announced the shipyard provisions are included in the fiscal year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

“These investments in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard — particularly during a time of so many budgetary challenges — highlight the instillation’s importance to our Navy and our national defense,” the senators said in a joint statement.

“The $11.5 million investment in our shipyard, the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines, and sufficient funding and predictability to avoid furloughs is a huge win for our economy, the skilled men and women who work at the shipyard, and our national security,” the statement continued.

A shipyard spokesman declined to comment on the potential impact of the spending bill, including whether the legislation would create new jobs at a facility that’s already one of the region’s largest employers. Sanford sends more employees to the shipyard than any other community.

However, spokesman Gary Hildreth released a statement explaining that $11.5 million in the spending bill would pay for renovations and consolidation of structural and pipe fitting shop operations. The work is expected to reduce energy use at the sprawling facility.

Virginia-class submarines are fast-attack vessels replaced the Seawolf-class subs after the Cold War, according to a 2005 report.

The statement says Sen. Collins, Shaheen, and Ayotte worked together to restore funding in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act to build a second Virginia class submarine in FY 2014.